Each year in September, people around the United States work together to help end hunger during “Hunger Action Month.”
According to Feeding America (a Chicago-based nationwide network of food banks that feeds more that 37 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters), one-in-five U.S. citizens face hunger on a daily basis. Springfield’s Ozarks Food Harvest food bank (OFH) estimates 170,000 people in southwest Missouri struggle with hunger on a daily basis. According to OFH statistics, one-in-four children go to bed hungry in the Ozarks and 61,130 children are “food insecure.”
The Texas County Food Pantry partners with OFH to help provide nutritious food to insecure families. Last year OFH and local donors helped the food pantry provide more than 275,000 meals to those in need.
“Hunger is a problem that several people across this county and country face every day,” pantry director Bennie Cook said. “The food pantry assists over 560 families each month with food assistance. The pantry provides 262 elderly adults across the county an additional box of food each month. Last year we provided food to 34 children enrolled on the Blessings in Backpack Program in Houston.
“I encourage everyone to take an active role in helping end hunger in Texas County.”
The following is a list of events the food pantry will be participating in during Hunger Action Month:
•Sept. 2 – The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce will host a food drive for the food pantry by collecting non-perishable items at its monthly luncheon at the Lions Club Den on U.S. 63 north.
•Sept. 4 – Wear orange to show support for hunger relief.
•Sept. 5-6 – Yard sale at the Loretto House in Houston, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. (proceeds benefit the Blessings in a Backpack food program and food pantry outreach programs).
•Sept. 6 – Coat drive at the food pantry. Coats can be dropped off any time at the pantry.
•Sept. 6 – Food drive at the Houston Walmart, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.).
•Sept. 10 – Ozarks Food Harvest delivers commodities to the Texas County Food Pantry. The food is distributed to clients in Houston, Plato, Summersville, Cabool and Licking.
•Sept. 11-12 – Driveway/dock sale at the food pantry. Proceeds benefit the 2015 Texas County Food Pantry Hunger Challenge.
•Sept. 12 – Forbes’ Pharmacy flu shot clinic at the food pantry 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
•September 12 – Texas County Football Food Drive at Houston High School football field, 5:30 -7 p.m. Non-perishable food items accepted for families of Texas County.
•Sept. 18 – University of Missouri Texas County Extension Office and the Texas County Food Pantry will be offering a nutrition class from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Lunch will be provided.
•Sept. 28 – The 22nd annual Hunger Walk will be in Houston beginning at 2 p.m. All proceeds from the event stay in Texas County. For more information, call the pantry at 417-967-4484 or Alice Wells at 417-967-2495.
To learn more about Hunger Action Month, log onto Ozarks Food Harvest’s website at www.ozarksfoodharvest.org/HAM14.html.